Enabling healthy food choices to prevent diabetes
World Diabetes Day is observed every year on 14 November. WHO and the International Diabetes Federation are calling on:
individuals to make healthy food choices, starting with breakfast
countries to take immediate action to create environments and conditions to enable such choices
the media, professionals, professional associations and civil society to support public health actions to promote healthy diets as a key approach to prevent diabetes and reduce complications in those living with diabetes.
Unhealthy diet is one of the four main risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, which are the leading cause of death in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. They account for over 2.2 million deaths annually, over 51% of which are premature. Diabetes, one of the four main noncommunicable diseases, is closely linked to unhealthy lifestyles, especially diet, which in turn is linked to environments that promote unhealthy choices.
Over 14% of the population in the Eastern Mediterranean Region has diabetes, which is a critical challenge for countries. Rising diabetes prevalence in the Region is closely related to the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. New 2014 WHO estimates indicate that over 17% of people in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are obese.
The rapid acceleration in the rates of overweight, obesity and noncommunicable diseases related to diet, such as diabetes, over the past few decades reflects the profound changes in lifestyles, particularly food intake patterns, in populations. With increasing urbanization, globalization and economic improvements, dietary habits have become less healthy and people more sedentary. Increasingly, diets are high in saturated fats, cholesterol, salt and refined carbohydrates, and low in polyunsaturated fats, fiber, fruits and vegetables. An insufficient policy and public health response has exacerbated the situation.
On World Diabetes Day, we need to send the message that healthy eating and healthy lifestyles can prevent diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases.
Related links
Press release
World Diabetes Day 2014 campaign material
International Diabetes Federation
Enabling healthy food choices to prevent diabetes
World Diabetes Day is observed every year on 14 November. WHO and the International Diabetes Federation are calling on:
individuals to make healthy food choices, starting with breakfast
countries to take immediate action to create environments and conditions to enable such choices
the media, professionals, professional associations and civil society to support public health actions to promote healthy diets as a key approach to prevent diabetes and reduce complications in those living with diabetes.
Unhealthy diet is one of the four main risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, which are the leading cause of death in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. They account for over 2.2 million deaths annually, over 51% of which are premature. Diabetes, one of the four main noncommunicable diseases, is closely linked to unhealthy lifestyles, especially diet, which in turn is linked to environments that promote unhealthy choices.
Over 14% of the population in the Eastern Mediterranean Region has diabetes, which is a critical challenge for countries. Rising diabetes prevalence in the Region is closely related to the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. New 2014 WHO estimates indicate that over 17% of people in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are obese.
The rapid acceleration in the rates of overweight, obesity and noncommunicable diseases related to diet, such as diabetes, over the past few decades reflects the profound changes in lifestyles, particularly food intake patterns, in populations. With increasing urbanization, globalization and economic improvements, dietary habits have become less healthy and people more sedentary. Increasingly, diets are high in saturated fats, cholesterol, salt and refined carbohydrates, and low in polyunsaturated fats, fiber, fruits and vegetables. An insufficient policy and public health response has exacerbated the situation.
On World Diabetes Day, we need to send the message that healthy eating and healthy lifestyles can prevent diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases.
Related links
Press release
World Diabetes Day 2014 campaign material
International Diabetes Federation
